Scrawl compressor

ABSTRACT

A back pressure chamber HR is provided on the other side face of the end plate ( 12   a ) of the fixed scroll ( 12 ). The fixed scroll ( 12 ) is pressed against the orbiting scroll ( 13 ) by introducing fluid compressed into the back pressure chamber HR. Furthermore, step portions are provided on the end plates ( 12   a ) of the fixed scroll ( 12 ) and the end plate ( 13   a ) of the orbiting scroll ( 13 ), and stepped shapes are formed on the upper rim of the wall ( 12   b ) of the fixed scroll ( 12 ) and the upper rim of the wall ( 13   b ) of the orbiting scroll ( 13 ) to prevent leakage of fluid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to scroll compressors provided in air conditioners, refrigerators, or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A scroll compressor is a compressor in which a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll are arranged as a pair of spiral walls assembled together, and the orbiting scroll is orbitally moved with respect to the fixed scroll in order to gradually reduce the volume of a compression chamber formed between the walls and thereby compress the fluid inside the compression chamber.

[0003] The compression ratio in the design of the scroll compressor is a ratio of the maximum capacity of the compression chamber (the capacity at a point in time where the wall pairs are combined to form the compression chamber) to the minimum capacity of the compression chamber (the capacity immediately before the wall pairs become disengaged and the compression chamber disappears), and is expressed by the following equation (I):

Vi={A(θsuc)·L}/{A(θtop)·L}=A(θsuc)/A(θtop)  (I)

[0004] In equation (I), A(θ) is a function representing the cross-sectional area parallel to the orbital plane of the compression chamber for which the volume is changed corresponding to the orbital angle θ of the orbiting scroll, θsuc is the orbital angle of the orbiting scroll when the compression chamber reaches maximum volume, θtop is the orbital angle of the orbiting scroll when the compression chamber reaches minimum volume, and L is the length of the lap (overlap) of the pair of walls.

[0005] Conventionally, in order to improve the compression ratio Vi of a scroll compressor, a method was adopted of increasing the winding number for the walls of the two scrolls so that the cross-sectional area A(θ) of the compression chamber at the time of maximum volume was increased. However, with this conventional method of increasing the winding number of the walls, the external dimensions of the scroll are increased so that the compressor itself is increased in size. Hence, there is a problem in that it is difficult to employ this scroll in an air conditioner such as that for an automobile where restrictions on size are severe.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication, No. 60-17956 discloses the following techniques.

[0007] The device shown in FIG. 12A is a fixed scroll 50, and comprises an end plate 50 a and a wall 50 b of a spiral shape standing on one side face of the end plate 50 a. Furthermore, the device shown in FIG. 12B is an orbiting scroll 51. The orbiting scroll 51 also comprises an end plate 51 a and a spiral wall 51 b standing on one side face of the end plate 51 a, similar to that of the fixed scroll 50.

[0008] A step portion 52 is provided on the side surface of the end plate 50 a of the fixed scroll 50 at the point of π radians from the outer end to the center direction along the spiral wall 50 b. The step portion 52 has two parts in which one part is high at the center side of the side surface of the end plate 50 a and the other part is low at the outer end side of the end plate 50 a. Furthermore, corresponding to the step portion 52 of the end plate 50 a, a step portion 53 is provided on a spiral top edge of the wall body 50 b of the fixed scroll 50. The step portion 53 has two parts in which one part is low at the center side of the spiral top edge and the other part is high at the outer end side of the spiral top edge. Similarly, a step portion 52 is provided on the side surface of the end plate 51 b of the orbiting scroll 51 at the point of π radians from the outer end to the center direction along the spiral wall 51 b. The step portion 52 has two parts in which one part is high at the center side of the side surface of the end plate 51 a and the other part is low at the outer end side of the end plate 51 a. Furthermore, corresponding to the end plate 51 a of the step portion 52, a step portion 53 is provided on a spiral top edge of the wall body 51 b of the orbiting scroll 51. The step portion 53 has two parts in which one part is low at the center side of the spiral top edge and the other part is high at the outer end side of the spiral top edge.

[0009] Tip seals are provided on the top edges of the wall bodies 50 b and 51 b in order to improve airtightness.

[0010] In the scroll compressor as described above, the wall body 50 b of the fixed scroll 50 and the wall body 51 b of the orbiting scroll 51 a are engaged with each other to form a compression chamber P having the maximum capacity; this is shown in FIG. 13A. Furthermore, FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the compression chamber P along the spiral wall body.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 13B, the lap length L1 which is further out than the step portion 52 is longer than the lap length Ls which is further in than the step portion 52. The maximum capacity of the compression chamber P increases as the lap length of the wall body, which is further out than the step portion 52, becomes larger, in comparison with the maximum capacity of the compression chamber having the uniform lap length. Consequently, the compression ratio in the design can be increased without increasing the number of spiral laps of the wall body.

[0012] However, in the above-described conventional scroll compressor, as shown in FIG. 14, a part of the tip seal 56 which is placed in the vicinity of the step portion 53 (the part indicated by reference symbol a) may disengage from the end plate 50 a of the fixed scroll 50 when the orbiting scroll 51 comes to a phase thereof by orbitally moving. A part of the tip seal 54 of the fixed scroll 50, which is placed in the vicinity of the step portion 52, may similarly disengage from the end plate 51 a of the orbiting scroll 51.

[0013] Due to the above, problems occur in that tip seals 54 and 56 tend to fall off from the wall bodies 50 b and 51 b or leakage of fluid occurs at the step portions because tip seals 54 and 56 tend to bend.

[0014] In light of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a scroll compressor preventing leakage of fluid.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides a scroll compressor comprising: a fixed scroll having a spiral wall standing on one side face of an end plate, and secured in place;-and an orbiting scroll having a spiral wall standing on one side face of an end plate, and supported so as to be orbitally movable while being prevented from rotation, with the pair of walls engaged with each other, wherein a back pressure chamber is provided on the other side face of the end plate of at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, and the one scroll is pressed against the other scroll by introducing fluid which is compressed by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll into the back pressure chamber; a step portion is provided on the one side face of the end plate of at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, which has a high part with a height thereof which is high at a central side in a spiral direction, and a low part with a height thereof which is low at an outer peripheral end side; and an upper rim of the wall of the other of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll is divided into a plurality of parts to form a stepped shape having, corresponding to the parts, a low upper rim where the height of the part is low at a central side in the spiral direction, and a high upper rim where the height of the part is high at an outer peripheral end side.

[0016] According to the above scroll compressor, at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll is pressed on the other scroll by the compressed fluid introduced in the back pressure chamber. Accordingly, differently from the conventional method, even if tip seals are not used, the compression chamber is sealed, preventing leakage of fluid in the compression chamber. Therefore, problems in which the tip seal falls off, bends, or the like when a gap appears between the tip seal and the end plate do not occur.

[0017] Furthermore, the scroll compressor of the present invention may comprise an elastic body for pressing at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll against the other scroll.

[0018] In this scroll compressor, since one scroll is pressed on the other scroll by the elastic body, leakage of fluid is prevented.

[0019] Furthermore, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the back pressure chamber may, be provided on the other side face of the fixed scroll.

[0020] In this scroll compressor, since the fixed scroll is pressed on the orbiting scroll, the compression chamber is sealed.

[0021] Furthermore, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the back pressure chamber may be provided on the other side face of the orbiting scroll.

[0022] In this scroll compressor, since the orbiting scroll is pressed on the fixed scroll, the compression chamber is sealed.

[0023] Furthermore, the scroll compressor of the present invention may comprise a bearing member which performs orbital movement while engaging the other side face of the end plate of the orbiting scroll, wherein the back pressure chamber is provided between the orbiting scroll and the bearing member.

[0024] In this scroll compressor, the compressed fluid which is introduced in the back pressure chamber exerts pressure to spread a gap between the orbiting scroll and the bearing member. Accordingly, the orbiting scroll is pressed on the fixed scroll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall construction of a scroll compressor shown as a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixed scroll used in the scroll compressor.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an orbiting scroll used in the scroll compressor.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along a spiral direction of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of fluid compression at the time of driving the scroll compressor.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of fluid compression at the time of driving the scroll compressor.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of fluid compression at the time of driving the scroll compressor.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process of fluid compression at the time of driving the scroll compressor.

[0033]FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams showing shapes of the compression chamber of the scroll compressor during rotation.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall construction of a scroll compressor shown as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall construction of a scroll compressor shown as a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll used in the conventional scroll compressor.

[0037]FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the shape of the compression chamber at the time of maximum volume in a conventional scroll compressor.

[0038]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the state of sliding contact of tip seals in the vicinity of a step portion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0039] A first embodiment of the scroll compressor according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIGS. 9A to 9D.

[0040]FIG. 1 illustrates an overall construction of a back pressure scroll compressor shown as an embodiment of the present invention. The back pressure scroll compressor comprises a sealed housing 1, a discharge cover 2 for separating the housing 1 interior into a high pressure chamber HR and a low pressure chamber LR, a frame 5, a suction pipe 6, a discharge pipe 7, a motor 8, a rotating shaft 16, a rotation prevention mechanism 10, a fixed scroll 12, and an orbiting scroll 13 engaged with the fixed scroll 12.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the construction is such that for the fixed scroll 12, a spiral wall 12 b is standing on one side face of an end plate 12 a. For the orbiting scroll 13, the construction is such that a spiral wall 13 b is standing on one side face of an end plate 13 a as with the fixed scroll 12. In particular, the wall 13 b is made substantially in the same shape as the wall 12 b for the fixed scroll 12 side.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the orbiting scroll 13 is assembled to the fixed scroll 12, eccentric thereto by an orbital radius and out of phase by 180 degrees, with the walls 12 b and 13 b engaged with each other.

[0043] In this back pressure scroll compressor, the fixed scroll 12 is not completely secured to the frame 5 with bolts or the like, and can move within a restricted range.

[0044] In this case, a cylindrical boss A is formed on the rear face side of the orbiting scroll 13, and an eccentric pin 9 a provided on an upper end of the rotation shaft 9 which is driven by the motor 8 for orbital movement, is inserted into the boss A. As a result, the orbiting scroll 13 performs orbital movement with respect to the fixed scroll 12, while rotation thereof is prevented by the action of the rotation prevention mechanism 10.

[0045] On the other hand, the fixed scroll 12 is supported so as to float freely with respect to the frame 5 secured to the housing 1 via a support spring (elastic body) 11, and is pressed against the orbiting scroll 13. A discharge port 15 for compressed fluid is provided in the center of the rear face of the end plate 3 a. Furthermore, around the discharge port 15 there is provided a cylindrical flange 16 protruding from the rear face of the end plate 12 a of the fixed scroll 12, and this cylindrical flange 16 is engaged with a cylindrical flange 17 on the discharge cover 2 side. At the portion where these cylindrical flanges 16 and 17 engage, the high pressure chamber HR and the low pressure chamber LR are separated, and since it is necessary to apply the high pressure (back pressure) to the rear face of the fixed scroll 12 to press it downwards, a seal structure using a seal member 15 is adopted. This seal member 15 has a U-shaped cross-section. The high pressure chamber HR in this case also functions as a back pressure chamber which applies the high pressure discharge pressure to the rear face of the fixed scroll 12.

[0046] On the end plate 12 a of the fixed scroll 12, on the one side face on which the wall 12 b is standing, there is provided a step portion 42 formed so that it is high on the central portion side along the spiral direction of the wall 12 b and low on the outer peripheral end side.

[0047] For the end plate 13 a for the orbiting scroll 13 side, as with the end plate 12 a, on the one side face on which the wall 13 b is standing, there is provided a step portion 43 formed so as to be high on the central portion side along the spiral direction of the wall 13 b and low on the outer peripheral end side.

[0048] The step portions 42 and 43 are provided at positions advanced by π (radians) from the outer peripheral ends of the respective walls 12 b and 13 b, with the spiral center of the wall 12 b and the wall 13 b as a reference.

[0049] By forming the step portion 42, the bottom face of the end plate 12 a is divided into two parts, namely a shallow bottom face 12 f provided towards the central portion and a deep bottom face 12 g provided towards the outer peripheral end. The step portion 42 is formed between the adjacent bottom faces 12 f and 12 g, so that a vertical sheer connecting wall face 12 h exists connecting the bottom faces 12 f and 12 g. By forming the step portion 43 on the bottom face of the end plate 13 a as with the end plate 12 a, this is divided into two parts, namely a shallow bottom face 13 f provided towards the central portion and a deep bottom face 13 g provided towards the outer peripheral end. The step portion 43 is formed between, the adjacent bottom faces 13 f and 13 g, so that a vertical sheer connecting wall face 13 h, exists connecting the bottom faces 13 f and 13 g.

[0050] Furthermore, for the wall 12 b on the fixed scroll 12 side, corresponding to the step portion 43 of the orbiting scroll 13, in which the spiral shaped upper rim thereof is divided into two parts, has a stepped shape which is low at the central portion side of the spiral and high at the outer peripheral end side. The wall 13 b on the orbiting scroll 13 side also, as with the wall 12 b, corresponding to the step portion 42 of the fixed scroll 12, in which the spiral shaped upper rim is divided into two parts, has a stepped shape which is low at the central portion side of the spiral and high at the outer peripheral end side.

[0051] More specifically, the upper rim of the wall 12 b is divided into two parts, namely a low upper rim 12 c provided towards the central portion and a high upper rim 12 d provided towards the outer peripheral end, and between the adjacent upper rims 12 c and 12 d, there exists a connecting rim 12 e perpendicular to the orbit plane, which connects the upper rims 12 c and 12 d. The wall 13 b also as with the wall 12 b is divided into two parts, namely a low upper rim 13 c provided towards the central portion and a high upper rim 13 d provided towards the outer peripheral end, and between the adjacent upper rims 13 c and 13 d, there exists a connecting rim 13 e perpendicular to the orbit plane, which connects the upper rims 13 c and 13 d.

[0052] The connecting rim 12 e, when the wall 12 b is viewed in the direction from the orbiting scroll 13, is smoothly continuous with the inner and outer two side faces of the wall 12 b, and forms a semicircle having a diameter equal to the thickness of the wall 12 b. The connecting rim 13 e also, as with the connecting rim 12 e, is smoothly continuous with the inner and outer two side faces of the wall 13 b, and forms a semicircle having a diameter equal to the thickness of the wall 13 b.

[0053] Furthermore, the connecting wall face 12 h, when the end plate 12 a is viewed from the orbit axis direction, forms a circular arc coinciding with an envelope drawn by the connecting rim 13 e along the orbit of the orbiting scroll, and the connecting wall face 13 h also, as with the connecting wall face 12 h, forms a circular arc coinciding with an envelope drawn by the connecting rim 12 e.

[0054] Here a tip seal is not provided on the upper rim of the wall 12 b of the fixed scroll 12 and the wall 13 b of the orbiting scroll 13, and sealing of a compression chamber C (described below) is performed by pressing the edge face of the walls 12 b and 13 b against the end plates 12 a and 13 a.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, on the wall 12 b, at the portion where the upper rim 12 c and the connecting rim 12 e approach each other, a rib 12 i is provided like a padding. The rib 12 i is for avoiding stress concentration, and constitutes a concave surface formed integrally with the wall 12 b and smoothly continuous with the upper rim 12 c and the connecting rim 12 e. On the wall 13 b also, at the portion where the upper rim 13 c and the connecting rim 13 e approach each other, a rib 13 i is provided in the same shape for a similar reason.

[0056] On the end plate 12 a also, at the portion where the bottom face 12 g and the connecting wall face 12 h approach each other, a rib 12 j is provided like a padding The rib 12 j is for avoiding stress concentration, and constitutes a concave surface formed integral with the wall 12 b and smoothly continuous with the bottom face 12 g and the connecting wall face 12 h. On the end plate 13 a also, at the portion where the bottom face 13 g and the connecting wall face 13 h approach each other, a rib 13 j is provided in the same shape for a similar reason.

[0057] On the wall 12 b, the portion where the upper rim 12 d and the connecting rim 12 e approach each other, and on the wall 13 b, the portion where the upper rim 13 d and the connecting rim 13 e approach each other are respectively chamfered in order to avoid interference with the ribs 13 j and 12 j at the time of assembly.

[0058] When the orbiting scroll 13 is assembled with the fixed scroll 12, the low upper rim 13 c abuts against the shallow bottom face 12 f, and the high upper rim 13 d abuts against the deep bottom face 12 g. At the same time, the low upper rim 12 c abuts against the shallow bottom face 13 f, and the high upper rim 12 d abuts against the deep bottom face 13 g. As a result, the space between the two scrolls is compartmentalized by the facing end plates 12 a and 13 a and the walls 12 b and 13 b to form a compression chamber C.

[0059] The compression chamber C moves towards the central portion from the outer peripheral end following the orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 13. However, while the contact point of the walls 12 b and 13 b exists towards the outer peripheral end from the connecting rim 12 e, the connecting rim 12 e slides on the connecting wall face 13 h so that leakage of fluid between the adjacent compression chambers C (one not in the sealed condition) on either side of the wall 12 does not occur, and while the contact point of the walls 12 b and 13 b does not exist towards the outer peripheral end from the connecting rim 12 e, this does not slide on the connecting wall face 13 h, in order to ensure an equal pressure between the compression chambers C (both in the sealed condition) on either side of the wall 12.

[0060] The connecting rim 13 e, also in a similar manner, while the contact point of the walls 12 b and 13 b exists towards the outer peripheral end from the connecting rim 12 e, slides on the connecting wall face 12 h so that leakage of fluid between the adjacent compression chambers C (one not in the sealed condition) on either side of the wall 13 does not occur, and while the contact point of the walls 12 b and 13 b does not exist towards the outer peripheral end from the connecting rim 13 e, this does not slide on the connecting wall face 12 h, in order to ensure an equal pressure between the compression chambers C (both in the sealed condition) on either side of the wall 13. Here the sliding contact of the connecting rim 12 e and the connecting wall face 13 h, and the connecting rim 13 e and the connecting wall face 12 h occurs in the same period during a half rotation of the orbiting scroll 13.

[0061] The process of fluid compression at the time of driving the scroll compressor constructed as described above is explained sequentially as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 8.

[0062] In the condition shown in FIG. 5, two compression chambers C of maximum volume are formed at opposite positions on either side of the center of the scroll compression mechanism, by abutting the outer peripheral end of the wall 12 b against the outside face of the wall 13 b, and abutting the outer peripheral end of the wall 13 b against the outside face of the wall 12 b, and a fluid is introduced to between the end plates 12 a and 13 a, and the walls 12 b and 13 b. At this point in time, the connecting rim 12 e and the connecting wall face 13 h, and the connecting rim 13 e and the connecting wall face 12 h are slidingly contacted. Subsequently, immediately after they come into contact they separate from each other.

[0063] In the process where the orbiting scroll 13 orbits by π/2 from the condition of FIG. 5 to reach the condition shown in FIG. 6, the compression chambers C proceed towards the central portion while maintaining the sealed condition, so that the volume is gradually reduced and the fluid compressed, and compression chambers C0 which precede the compression chambers C also proceed towards the central portion while maintaining the sealed condition, so that the volume is gradually reduced to continuously compress the fluid. In this process, the respective sliding contacts between the connecting rim 12 e and the connecting wall face 13 h, and the connecting rim 13 e and the connecting wall face 12 h are cancelled, and the two adjacent compression chambers C have equal pressure.

[0064] In the process where the orbiting scroll 13 orbits by π/2 from the condition of FIG. 6 to reach the condition shown in FIG. 7, the compression chambers C proceed towards the central portion while maintaining the seated condition, and the volume is gradually reduced and the fluid compressed, and the compression chambers C0 also proceed towards the central portion while maintaining the sealed condition and the volume is gradually reduced and the fluid is continuously compressed. In this process, the connecting rim 12 e and the connecting wall face 13 h, and the connecting rim 13 e and the connecting wall face 12 h start respective sliding contact.

[0065] In the condition shown in FIG. 7, between the inside face of the wall 12 b close to the outer peripheral end and the outside face of the wall 13 b positioned inwards thereof, there are formed open spaces C1 which subsequently becomes a compression chamber. Similarly between the inside face of the wall 13 b close to the outer peripheral end and the outside face of the wall 12 b positioned inwards thereof, there are also formed open spaces C1 which subsequently becomes a compression chamber. A low pressure fluid flows from the low pressure chamber LR to these open spaces C1.

[0066] In the process where the orbiting scroll 13 rotates by π/2 from the condition of FIG. 7 to reach the condition shown in FIG. 8, the open spaces C1 proceed towards the central portion of the scroll compression mechanism, while the size expands, and the compression chambers C preceding the open spaces C1 also proceed towards the central portion so that the volume is gradually reduced to compress the fluid.

[0067] In the process where the orbiting scroll 13 orbits further by π/2 from the condition of FIG. 8 to again reach the condition shown in FIG. 5, the spaces C1 proceed towards the central portion of the scroll compressor mechanism while the size is further increased, and the compression chambers C preceding the spaces C1 also proceed towards the central portion while maintaining the sealed condition, so that the volume is gradually reduced to compress the fluid. Then, when the condition of FIG. 5 is reached, the compression chambers C shown in FIG. 8 correspond to the compression chambers C0 shown in FIG. 5 and the spaces C1 shown in FIG. 8 correspond to the compression chambers C shown in FIG. 5.

[0068] After this, by continuing the compression, the compression chambers C reach a minimum volume and the fluid is discharged from the compression chambers C.

[0069] The discharged fluid is introduced to the high pressure chamber HR. Then, the fixed scroll 12 is subjected to the high pressure back pressure and is pressed against the orbiting scroll 13 side. Furthermore, in the seal member 15, by introducing the high pressure fluid to the inside the U-shaped portion, this is expanded by the differential pressure so that the seal face is pressed towards the vertical faces of the circular flanges 16 and 17 to thereby seal between the high pressure chamber HR and the low pressure chamber LR.

[0070] A description of the shape change of the compression chambers C follows.

[0071] The change in the size of the compression chambers C from the maximum volume to the minimum volume is shown by the compression chambers C in FIG. 5→the compression chambers C in FIG. 7→the compression chambers C0 in FIG. 5→the compression chambers C0 in FIG. 8. Here, the shapes of the compression chamber in the respective conditions during rotation are shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D.

[0072] Under the conditions of maximum volume in FIG. 9A, the compression chamber becomes a variable strip shape with the width becoming narrower along the orbit axis direction. This width, at the outer peripheral end side of the scroll compressor, becomes a lap length L1 approximately equal to the height of the wall 12 b from the bottom face 12 g to the upper rim 12 d (or the height of the wall 13 b from the bottom face 13 g to the upper rim 13 d), and at the central portion side, this becomes a lap length Ls (<L1) approximately equal to the height from the bottom face 12 f to the upper rim 12 d (or the height of the wall 13 b from the bottom face 13 f to the upper rim 13 d).

[0073] Also in the condition of FIG. 9B, the compression chamber becomes a variable strip shape with the width becoming narrower along the orbit axis direction. This width, at the outer peripheral end side of the scroll compressor becomes a lap length Ls, and at the central portion side, this becomes a lap length Lss (<Ls) approximately equal to the height from the bottom face 12 f to the upper rim 12 c (or the height of the wall 13 b from the bottom face 13 f to the upper rim 13 c).

[0074] Furthermore, with the progress of the compression, as shown in FIG. 9C, the width of the compression chamber becomes a uniform lap length Lss.

[0075] Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, the length thereof reaches a minimum so that the compression chamber reaches a minimum volume.

[0076] In the abovementioned scroll compressor, the volume change of the compression chamber is not brought about by only a reduction in the cross-section area parallel to the orbit plane as heretofore, but as shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D, is also brought about by a combination of a reduction in the width in the orbit axis direction and a reduction in the cross-section area.

[0077] Consequently, by making the walls 12 b and 13 b a stepped shape, changing the lap length of the walls 12 b and 13 b near the outer peripheral end and near the central portion of the scroll compressor, and increasing the maximum volume and reducing the minimum volume of the compression chambers C, the compression ratio can be improved compared to the conventional scroll compressor where the lap length of the wall pairs are constant. Furthermore, by introducing the back pressure to the high pressure chamber HR, the fixed scroll 12 is pressed towards the orbiting scroll 13. Therefore, sealing of the compression chamber C can be performed without using a tip seal and also falling off and bending of the tip seal do not occur, so that efficient compression can be performed.

[0078] Next, the second embodiment of the scroll compressor according to the present invention will be explained. Description is omitted for points similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0079]FIG. 1 is a scroll compressor according to the present invention. The scroll compressor comprises a sealed housing 2, a suction pipe 23 at a bottom portion, and a discharge pipe 25 at an upper portion. The housing 21 comprises a driving portion 27 at an upper portion and a compressor portion 29 at the bottom portion therein. The driving portion 27 comprises a rotor 27 a fixed on a main shaft 28 and a stator 27 b fixed on the housing 21. The main shaft 28 is supported freely in an orbit axis direction by a main bearing 30. When current flows into the stator 27 b, the main shaft 28 is supplied with power for rotating via the rotor 27 a.

[0080] The compressor portion 29 is essentially composed of a fixed scroll 31 and an orbiting scroll 32. The end plate of the fixed scroll 31 is fixed on the housing 21.

[0081] A discharge port 33 of compressed fluid is provided in the center of the end plate of the orbiting scroll 32 (the present embodiment differs from the above first embodiment, a discharge port (reference symbol 15 shown in FIG. 1) is not provided on the fixed scroll 31). A cylindrical boss A is formed at the rear face side of the orbiting scroll 32 so as to enclose the opening of the discharge port 33 and an eccentric portion 28 a of the main shaft is inserted thereinto.

[0082] The rest of the construction of the fixed scroll 31 and the orbiting scroll 32 is the same as for the construction of the fixed scroll 12 and the orbiting scroll 13 according to the first embodiment. The fixed scroll 31 and the orbiting scroll 32 is provided with the step portions 42 and 43 on the end plate and comprises the walls 12 b and 13 b each having a stepped shape.

[0083] A communication path 34 is provided in the orbiting axis direction so as to pass through the main shaft 26 and communicate the discharge port 33 and the discharge pipe 25.

[0084] Furthermore, an annular seal member 35 for separating the inside of the housing 21 into a high pressure chamber (back pressure chamber) HR and a low pressure chamber LR and sealing them is provided between the orbiting scroll 32 and the main bearing 30. The high pressure chamber HR is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the discharge port 33 at the rear face side of the orbiting scroll 32.

[0085] In this scroll compressor, as the orbiting scroll 32 is orbitally moved, the compression chambers C proceed towards the central portion from the outer end while maintaining the sealed condition, so that the volume is gradually reduced and the fluid compressed. The process of fluid compression is equal to that of the first embodiment; however, the compressed fluid is introduced into the high pressure chamber HR which is provided at the rear face side of the orbiting scroll 32 via the discharge port 33. Accordingly, the orbiting scroll 32 is pressed against the fixed scroll 31 by applying the back pressure.

[0086] In the scroll compressor of the present embodiment, the volume change of the compression chamber is not brought about only by a reduction in the cross-section area parallel to the orbital plane as heretofore, but as shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D, is also brought about by a combination of a reduction in the width in the orbit axis direction and a reduction in the cross-section area.

[0087] Consequently, by making the walls 12 b and 13 b a stepped shape, changing the lap length of the walls 12 b and 13 b near the outer peripheral end and near the central portion of the scroll compressor, and increasing the maximum volume and reducing the minimum volume of the compression chambers C, then compared to the conventional scroll compressor where the lap length of the wall pairs are constant, the compression ratio can be improved.

[0088] Furthermore, by introducing the back pressure to the high pressure chamber HR, the fixed scroll 12 is pressed towards the orbiting scroll 13. Therefore, sealing of the compression chamber C can be performed without using a tip seal, and also falling off and bending of the tip seal do not occur, so that efficient compression is performed.

[0089] Next, the third embodiment of the scroll compressor according to the present invention will be explained. Description is omitted for points similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0090]FIG. 1 is a scroll compressor according to the present invention. The scroll compressor comprises an orbiting scroll 13′ engaged with the fixed scroll 12. The orbiting scroll 13′ is essentially composed of an end plate 13 a′ and the wall 13 b standing on one side face of the end plate 13 a′. Except for the end plate 13 a′, the construction of the scroll compressor 13′ is the same as that of the orbiting scroll 13 according to the first embodiment.

[0091] The end plate 13 a′ of the orbiting scroll 13′ is provided with an annular groove 45 on the rear face side (the other side face of the end plate 13 a′) thereof. The annular groove 45 is engaged with a bearing member 46 therein. The bearing member 46 is provided with an annular projection 46 a corresponding to the annular groove 45 and the annular projection 46 a is engaged in the annular groove 45. The bearing member 46 is provided with a seal member 47 on sealing faces of the annular projection 46 a and the annular groove 45, so that a gap between the orbiting scroll 13′ and the bearing member 46 is separated into the high pressure chamber (back pressure chamber) HR′ provided at the center side and the low pressure chamber LR provided at the outer side by the seal member 47. Furthermore, a communication path 48 for communicating the high pressure chamber HR′ and the compression chamber C is provided in the end plate 13 a′.

[0092] In the bearing member 46, a cylindrical boss A which projects into the opposite side of the annular projection 46 a is provided and is inserted with the eccentric pin 9 which is provided on the upper end of the rotation shaft 9 and moves orbitally. Furthermore, the bearing member 46 is supported by the rotation prevention mechanism 10 while preventing rotation is maintained.

[0093] Accordingly, the bearing member 46 moves orbitally according to rotation of the rotation shaft 9 and further movement of the bearing member 46 is transmitted to the orbiting scroll 13′, so that the orbiting scroll 13′ moves orbitally.

[0094] In the scroll compressor, as the orbiting scroll 13′ moved orbitally, the compression chamber C proceed towards the central portion from the outer end while maintaining the sealed condition, so that the volume is gradually reduced and the fluid compressed. The process of fluid compression is equal to that of the first embodiment; however, the fluid compressed is discharged from the discharge port 15 and is introduced into the high pressure chamber HR′ via the communication path 48. The high pressure fluid introduced in the high pressure chamber HR′ supplies pressure for separating the orbiting scroll 13′ and the bearing member 46, and accordingly, the orbiting scroll 13′ is pressed against the fixed scroll 12.

[0095] In the scroll compressor of the present embodiment, the volume change of the compression chamber is not brought about only by a reduction in the cross-section area parallel to the orbit plane as heretofore, but as shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D, is also brought about by a combination of a reduction in the width in the orbit axis direction and a reduction in the cross-section area.

[0096] Consequently, by making the walls 12 b and 13 b a stepped shape, changing the lap length of the walls 12 b and 13 b near the outer peripheral end and near the central portion of the scroll compressor, and increasing the maximum volume and reducing the minimum volume of the compression chambers C, then compared to the conventional scroll compressor where the lap length of the wall pairs are constant, the compression ratio can be improved.

[0097] Furthermore, by introducing the back pressure to the high pressure chamber HR′, the fixed scroll 12 is pressed towards the orbiting scroll 13′. Therefore, sealing of the compression chamber C can be performed without using a tip seal, and also falling off and bending of the tip seal do not occur, so that efficient compression is performed.

[0098] In addition, in the abovementioned embodiment, the connecting rims 12 e and 13 e are formed perpendicular to the orbit plane of the orbiting scroll 13, and the connecting wall faces 12 h and 13 h corresponding to these are also formed perpendicular to the orbit plane. However, if the connecting rims 12 e and 13 e, and the connecting wall faces 12 h and 13 h maintain a corresponding relationship with each other, then it is not necessary for these to be perpendicular to the orbital plane, and for example, these may be formed at an incline to the orbital plane.

[0099] Furthermore, it is not necessary that the connecting rims 12 e and 13 e form a semicircle, and these may be of any shape. In this case, the envelope drawn by the connecting rims 12 e and 13 e is not a circular arc, and hence the connecting wall faces 12 h and 13 h are also no longer a circular arc.

[0100] Moreover, the places where the step portions 42 and 43 are formed need not each be at the same place, and these may be respectively provided at a plurality of places.

Industrial Applicability

[0101] As described above, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the compressed fluid introduced into the back pressure chamber presses one scroll toward the other scroll. Accordingly, sealing of the compression chamber C is performed without using a tip seal, and also the tip seal does not fall off and bend to prevent leakage of the fluid, so that compression is efficiently performed. 

1. A scroll compressor comprising: a fixed scroll having a spiral wall standing on one side face of an end plate, and secured in place; and an orbiting scroll having a spiral wall standing on one side face of an end plate, and supported so as to be orbitally movable while being prevented from rotating, with the two walls engaged with each other, wherein a back pressure chamber is provided on the other side face of the end plate of at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, and the one scroll is pressed against the other scroll by introducing fluid which is compressed by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll into the back pressure chamber; a stepped shape is provided on the one side face of the end plate of at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, which has a high part with a height thereof which is high at a central side in a spiral direction, and a low part with a height thereof which is low at an outer peripheral end side; and an upper rim of the wall of the other of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll is divided into a plurality of parts to form a stepped shape having, corresponding to the parts, a low upper rim where the height of the part is low at a central side in the spiral direction, and a high upper rim where the height of the part is high at an outer peripheral end side.
 2. A scroll compressor according to claim 1, comprising an elastic body for pressing at least one of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll against the other scroll.
 3. A scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the back pressure chamber is provided on the other side face of the fixed scroll.
 4. A scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the back pressure chamber is provided on the other side face of the orbiting scroll.
 5. A scroll compressor according to claim 4, comprising a bearing member which performs orbital movement while engaging the other side face of the end plate of the orbiting scroll, wherein the back pressure chamber is provided between the orbiting scroll and the bearing member. 